I've seen mocks of him getting drafted in the 2nd and some of him getting drafted in the 4th so I'll pick a middle-ground. The question: If Tyrann Mathieu was there in the 3rd round would you take a shot and draft him, if yes would you also consider drafting him in the 2nd to ensure you get him? He's a huge play-maker on the defense and is a great returner. I think he would excel in our defense at the nickel corner spot and as a special teams guy. He would be an immediate impact to our team. I know he has had his off the field issues but I think the Seahawks would be a team to give him a shot since we haven't been afraid to take a chance on other players with off the field issues. Some of those issues, according to Tyrann, are even resolved. I would love to draft him in the 3rd but I don't think I would use a 2nd rounder on him. What are your guys' thoughts?

Just like a Game 7 in playoff basketball, BIG GAME football is all about matchups and game changing plays. No second chances. Winner take all. Tyrann Mathieu is my selection at #56, & without a doubt in the 3rd round. He is a dynamic playmaker, game changer, difference maker, and turnover creator. And here are my reasons...

We need quality over quantity these days in Superbowl favorite land people. We have 10 picks and there aren't 10 open roster slots in the final 53. We all love the fact that we are closer than we have ever been to winning it all... so, lets get real. Its football. One year ago, this guy is a top quality, ultra talented, 'Ball So Hard' top ten pick!!! Mark my words, a month from now... it would be a Russell Wilson style draft coup to get this guy at 56, let alone 87.

Forget 2nd round DTs & LBs, we can get those in the later rounds. What we need desperately is a better nickel CB to help us get off the field on 3rd downs, thus, I bring Mathieu into the fold as the missing "Fifth element" of the Legion of Boom.

Get him out of friggin' LSUisiana, let bygones be bygones, and let him feel a whole "new family" feeling of the Team, the 12th Man, and a sold out Century Link rockin' a high like no other! Besides, all it would take for Tyrann is creating a bigtime turnover vs. the Whiners, or returning a punt for a TD at the C-Link, and he'd be 'hooked' on a whole new healthy lifestyle.

Did Bruce Irvin have ATL regional history, major baggage, and was he a "risky pick"? YES.Did he get into trouble and revert to his old ways? A RESOUNDING NO.

Before we went JS/PC crazy in freeagency, and got real playmaker/game changer in Percy Harvin for the slot, and 2 of the best 3 available passrushing DEs, I would have considered DE in Rd. 1, and Zach Ertz and/or Ryan Swope at #56 as similar 12th man fan favorites who would make a difference as offensive 3rd down specialists. The goal being in my mind to try and gain more first downs and keep opposing high powered offenses off the field. After all, it wasn't so long ago we were scoring approximately 20 points a game y'know... and we can't always play from 2 or 3 TDs behind and expect road playoff miracles. Sure, if we score 50 every week? No problem...

BUT... our biggest obstacles to Superbowl Immmortality are the Falcons, the 49ers, and Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos. To win those BIGTIME games we need to win the turnover battle, get off the field on third downs, and get the ball back into the potent hands of Russell Wilson and Company. Sure, now, we can score... but to win the Lombardi Trophy we need to prevent the 49ers, Falcons, and Broncos from scoring more.

In summation, the pick is the 'HoneyBadger', Tyrann Mathieu, CB, LSU."The Look" on the field is like so... On "basic" third downs, we take runstuffers Red, KJ, and Morgan off... Bring in Irvin, Mathieu, & Bennett... drop Chancellor to the coverageLB... & go with 5 pass rushers, Bobby Wagner and "OUR 5" vs. "THEIR 5". (D-line/defensive backs vs. o-line/offensive backs) like so...

kigenzun wrote:Just like a Game 7 in playoff basketball, BIG GAME football is all about matchups and game changing plays. No second chances. Winner take all. Tyrann Mathieu is my selection at #56, & without a doubt in the 3rd round. He is a dynamic playmaker, game changer, difference maker, and turnover creator. And here are my reasons...

We need quality over quantity these days in Superbowl favorite land people. We have 10 picks and there aren't 10 open roster slots in the final 53. We all love the fact that we are closer than we have ever been to winning it all... so, lets get real. Its football. One year ago, this guy is a top quality, ultra talented, 'Ball So Hard' top ten pick!!! Mark my words, a month from now... it would be a Russell Wilson style draft coup to get this guy at 56, let alone 87.

Forget 2nd round DTs & LBs, we can get those in the later rounds. What we need desperately is a better nickel CB to help us get off the field on 3rd downs, thus, I bring Mathieu into the fold as the missing "Fifth element" of the Legion of Boom.

Get him out of friggin' LSUisiana, let bygones be bygones, and let him feel a whole "new family" feeling of the Team, the 12th Man, and a sold out Century Link rockin' a high like no other! Besides, all it would take for Tyrann is creating a bigtime turnover vs. the Whiners, or returning a punt for a TD at the C-Link, and he'd be 'hooked' on a whole new healthy lifestyle.

Did Bruce Irvin have ATL regional history, major baggage, and was he a "risky pick"? YES.Did he get into trouble and revert to his old ways? A RESOUNDING NO.

Before we JS/PC crazy in freeagency, and got playmaker/game changer in Percy Harvin for the slot, and 2 of the best 3 available DEs, I would have considered DE, or Zach Ertz and/or Ryan Swope at #56 as similar 12th man fan favorites who would make a difference as a offensive 3rd down specialists. The goal being to try and gain more first downs and to keep opposing high powered offenses off the field. After all, t wasn't so long ago we were scoring approximately 20 points a game y'know... and we can't always play from 2 or 3 TDs behind and expect miracles. We score 50 every week? No problem...

BUT... our biggest obstacles to the Superbowl are the Falcons, the 49ers, and Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos. To win those BIGTIME games we need to win the turnover battle, get off the field on third downs, and get the ball back into the potent hands of Russell Wilson and Company. Sure, we can score... but to win the Lombardi Trophy we need to prevent the 49ers and Falcons from scoring too.

In summation, the pick is the 'HoneyBadger', Tyrann Mathieu, CB, LSU."The Look" on the field is like so... On "basic" third downs, we take runstuffers Red, KJ, and Morgan off... Bring in Irvin, Mathieu, & Bennett... drop Chancellor to the coverageLB... & go with 5 pass rushers, Bobby Wagner and "OUR 5" vs. "THEIR 5". (D-line/defensive backs vs. o-line/offensive backs) like so...

He's a complete nightmare who will need constant babysitting and will always be battling against returning to drugs. He even admitted himself he can't be drafted by New Orleans because they'd have to 'protect' him. He also admitted he spent most of his time going into the combine focusing on staying clean, not preparing for the work out and drills. Bringing him to a place where weed is now legal is probably not doing him or the team any favours.

Then there's the whole departure from LSU. You're not talking about someone who made a mistake and that's that. He was warned multiple times by LSU to kick the drugs. He didn't. He was kicked off the team. How many high profile former Heisman finalists get kicked off their teams? LSU clearly took this very seriously. He then made a big PR push saying he'd stay in school, work hard, go to rehab. Try and play football the following year for the Tigers. He promised he'd learnt his lesson. Then what? Few weeks later, arrested for drug possession. End of college career.

Quite aside from that he isn't anywhere near as good as his reputation will have you think. He made plays in college. He also got pushed around and beat fairly often too. Slot corner is one of the most complex positions in the NFL -- it's why PC put Trufant there all year instead of one of the rookies. If you think Mathieu is going to come in and step straight in I think you'll be sadly mistaken. It may never be a role that suits him either. He won't just have to defend Amendola and Welker types, he'd have to cover the Gronk's and Gonzalez types too, where he'll be destroyed. For me his best position will be centre field safety. And we have the best in the business there already.

So let somebody else deal with this headache. I think he'll be a 7th rounder or an UDFA. The team that gives him a shot will need it to be a situation where they can cut the guy at any point. Even if that's in May. So nobody is going to spend a high draft pick on him like a third rounder. Taking him in that range would be an unnecessary risk.

"I don't know much, but I imagine that stomping my way through a field of seven-year-olds is the closest I'll ever feel to being Marshawn Lynch. Despite being limited to ten rushes, Lynch mowed through defenders like Zach Efron running into a bachelorette party in Vegas." -@JacsonBevens

No Honey-badgers for me. Way too many concerns plus I get the feeling he's a cheer or jeer type with nearly equal amounts of both. I agree that the slot CB need is real and I could see them addressing that need in their first couple of picks. Trufant NEEDS to be replaced sooner rather than later-IMO.

I seem to recall from last year that the Seahawks had shown interest in CB-Logan Ryan from Rutgers. He is probably a round 2-3 prospect, and I'd think at 5'-11"/191 he wouldn't really be limited to slot only. In round 3-(maybe 4), CB-Leon McFadden & CB-Brandon McGee both look good to me as viable options deserving consideration at slot corner.

It looks like SS-Shamarko Thomas 5'-9"/213 could be availble possibly in rounds 2-3. IMO, he'd be a great backup to ET and should fit the hybrid/slot corner position pretty damn well also. From what I've seen on film of Shamarko Thomas, he's very much a bigtime BALLER and should fit in nicely with the defense. So he'd be MY preference in this draft if they go DB in the first couple of rounds and I'd really hate it if he went to the whiners or rams. If you haven't watched any tape on him, you need to be wearing a helmet when you watch the bowling ball in action.

Additionally, I've seen some mentions of FS-Jakar Hamilton 5'-11"/196 from So. Carolina St. as a later round option that might be able to man the slot corner and/or a hybrid position.

I'd also be very much in favor with the later round (6-7) selection of SS-Cooper Taylor, 6'-4"/229, who has been compared to Cam Chanceller by some. These tall DB's that can play aren't found too often, so why not invest a little in the future & bring in guys that can be potential understudies and eventual replacements like this? Can't wait for the actual draft when we will all get answers about this stuff.

Seahawksfan425 wrote:To the naysayers I respect your opinion but can you give more information than just a "No, he's a bad character".

Ok:

He's an awful character. He's also potentially retarded. That's the only thing that would explain how stupid he sounds even today. There is barely a hint of contrition, which in my estimation follows exactly what I would expect from a guy who repeatedly got into the dope even after he was 'supposedly done' with it.

I don't know you, or if you've ever had to deal with an addict in your own life. It is an absolute nightmare. It is an incredibly draining and distracting existence. The whole vibe of your household changes. People walk on egg shells. They are constantly wondering/worried about relapse. But ultimately it's about cannibalizing the trust in your home and in your life.

This team has 50 some players in it. Countless other staff who work insane hours at their craft. Their hopes and dreams are held in trust with one another. Everything they've ever hoped to achieve since they were kids playing on the streets. Their team mates are the ones that they entrust those dreams to. When you fail personally in that way, you defecate on that trust.

There is no way I take him even if he's Aaron Rodgers. I don't take him at the NFL minimum as a UDFA. There is no scenario where I want him within 100 miles of the VMAC except in a niners uniform.

He's a talented but troubled player for sure but has none of the exceptional characteristics Pn'J seem to want in a measureables sense (small and slow), unfortunately his negatives far outweigh his abilities as a baller (his possible exceptional characteristic) and the Hawks don't need an egocentric nickel CB with a drug problem.

There are way too many alternative choices that don't have the baggage that Matthieu brings with him. The team doesn't need the potential disruption and circus he carries with him.

Nope, not a chance.

Until we develop a pass rush that will cause opposing teams to be forced to scheme to defend it we will never be able to consistently take the final step. The interior rush needs improvement. The OLine clearly still needs work.

seahawks875 wrote:So just because he is a pothead means we can't draft him, the guy is a future star and is a huge playmaker. We need to draft him 2nd round.

Again, another brilliant piece of cutting analysis. Brimming with detail.

What a thoroughly convincing argument.

Mathieu is a fiery competetor that will be coming in with a chip on his shoulder and be very motivated. This guy makes big hits and is a very good tackler, he is the best player at stripping the football that i have ever seen or you'll ever see. He can play on 3rd downs as a nickel back or as the 3rd safety where we can let him rome around the field and make plays. He is also a threat to take it to the house on returns every play. He is the type of player that will make a huge impact on little plays because of his instincts and play making ability. Every time he touches the field, he will put fear in his opponents because of his threat to make a big play on any given play. This guy is a game changer and is a player that would improve our team by his play making ability.http://youtube.com/watch?v=WKCBCUS73Z8

seahawks875 wrote:So just because he is a pothead means we can't draft him, the guy is a future star and is a huge playmaker. We need to draft him 2nd round.

Again, another brilliant piece of cutting analysis. Brimming with detail.

What a thoroughly convincing argument.

And what makes your opinion the one and only and everyone else's wrong

Well, to be fair, you are the one saying despite him being a moron, untrustworthy and a pothead, that we should imperil the best secondary in the NFL by taking him with the first pick we have in the draft.

Seems the onus is on you to provide they why.

You just saying he's a playmaker doesn't make him one. This isn't a case where if you say it enough then it must be true. Convince us. Because the negatives are already proven.

He has to be off the charts. Not just opinion. Give us plentiful examples of this. Not just a highlight reel. Even Kelly Jennings made *some* plays.

....He made plays in college. He also got pushed around and beat fairly often too. Slot corner is one of the most complex positions in the NFL -- it's why PC put Trufant there all year instead of one of the rookies. If you think Mathieu is going to come in and step straight in I think you'll be sadly mistaken. It may never be a role that suits him either. He won't just have to defend Amendola and Welker types, he'd have to cover the Gronk's and Gonzalez types too, where he'll be destroyed. For me his best position will be centre field safety. And we have the best in the business there already.

Nice work English Seahawk. You are perhaps the most well spoken voicing the opposite positions as my own, and your concerns are definitely valid. I hear you, and sometimes feel the same way too... 'Gosh this is a risk, why risk it? What am I thinking? Pick Swope and be happy. Geez.'

BUT... this also got me to thinkin' about something I failed to mention previously... we need a better backup Free Safety than Maragos for depth behind Earl Thomas anyways, so why not kill two birds with one stone? Oh wait... and a better punt returner than Tate. So, why not 3 REAL NEEDS with one quality multitask football player? Mathieu fits us perfectly!

For me the draft is simple. Get as many quality footballers on your team as you can. Coach 'em up, and turn 'em loose. Hopefully win forever...

That said, once again, IMO its about the 3rd down matchups & turnovers in Big Games, and personally I see Mathieu being capable in the slot 1on1 and/or blitzing the QB in key spots. But it's also straightup about who can catch LaMichael James or Jacquizz Rogers in the open field on a 3rd & 4 dumpoff, and make a tackle short of the sticks. If y'all don't like Mathieu in the slot vs. Amendola/Welker, put Earl on Amendola or Welker and have Mathieu roam the FS as you suggest... because I'm totally cool with that. As far as being destroyed by 6'7" Gonzalez and/or Gronk types... I mean who isn't?? My suggestion with our personnel? Put Brandon Browner on those guys 1on1 because of his size, speed, and length... & if that be the case, let Mathieu roam FS, and put Earl as the RCB like they did in the ProBowl. Or put Mathieu out at RCB and have Earl help him out over the top at FS. Indeed, one of the major reasons I forgot to mention before why I like Mathieu so much is, because he provides much needed flexibility/interchangability within our secondary (and depth in case of injury to Thomas).

BTWLastly, lest I forget, I got nothing but LOVE & RESPECT for Marcus Trufant. Truly, a class act, and a franchise cornerstone for a decade. I own and proudly wear his jerseys on Gamedays to prove it. BUT OMG! he's old and slow now... and cant blitz or create turnovers like he used to. Mathieu is a downright tenacious dog on defense, and a baller with something to prove. Reminds me of Marshawn after Buffalo, or Sherman after 5th rd. We need some new Beastmode in the #23, and for my money its Tyrann Mathieu.

Hunny Badger will disappear into football lore as quickly and effectively as Maurice Clarrett.

He will not be a Seahawk. I guarantee it.

1. Seattle passed on Jimmy Smith, who had multiple drug issues and attitude problems, and he was clearly the most talented player on the board. This dude doesn't have even close to that kind of talent.

2. Our corners are long. He isn't. It's that simple. Seattle was just at a pro day for a 6'3" receiver suggesting he play defense.

3. Measurables. He lacks speed and strength. With the time he had to get ready for the combine it was clear he had not spent time in the weight room. This alone would be enough to cross him off Seattle's list. I don't care what his reasons for not being in the weight room are unless they are injury related, and they aren't.

Last, let's address this notion that he is a natural playmaker. his kick return stuff is nice, and he appears to have natural skills there. But his ball hawking on a defense where he got to play with NFL talent at nearly every position on the defense does not equate to being a natural playmaker, especially when you consider his lack of wheels. He needed to be a 4.4 guy to be even considered on the first two days, and he simply isn't. College production is nice, but if you lack wheels you will not make plays, you will miss them. Teo lacks wheels, and it is causing him to be called a two down backer even though he had 7 interceptions.

I don't call late round picks off the board very often, but this one is easy. Mathieu is off Seattle's board, and I am willing to bet cash that if he is available in the 7th or as a UDFA, Seattle passes. Not even for drug reasons either.

Scottemojo wrote:Hunny Badger will disappear into football lore as quickly and effectively as Maurice Clarrett.

He will not be a Seahawk. I guarantee it.

1. Seattle passed on Jimmy Smith, who had multiple drug issues and attitude problems, and he was clearly the most talented player on the board. This dude doesn't have even close to that kind of talent.

2. Our corners are long. He isn't. It's that simple. Seattle was just at a pro day for a 6'3" receiver suggesting he play defense.

3. Measurables. He lacks speed and strength. With the time he had to get ready for the combine it was clear he had not spent time in the weight room. This alone would be enough to cross him off Seattle's list. I don't care what his reasons for not being in the weight room are unless they are injury related, and they aren't.

Last, let's address this notion that he is a natural playmaker. his kick return stuff is nice, and he appears to have natural skills there. But his ball hawking on a defense where he got to play with NFL talent at nearly every position on the defense does not equate to being a natural playmaker, especially when you consider his lack of wheels. He needed to be a 4.4 guy to be even considered on the first two days, and he simply isn't. College production is nice, but if you lack wheels you will not make plays, you will miss them. Teo lacks wheels, and it is causing him to be called a two down backer even though he had 7 interceptions.

I don't call late round picks off the board very often, but this one is easy. Mathieu is off Seattle's board, and I am willing to bet cash that if he is available in the 7th or as a UDFA, Seattle passes. Not even for drug reasons either.

Bravo Scotte. I was going to post almost exactly this, of course with far less words.

Scottemojo wrote:Hunny Badger will disappear into football lore as quickly and effectively as Maurice Clarrett.

He will not be a Seahawk. I guarantee it.

1. Seattle passed on Jimmy Smith, who had multiple drug issues and attitude problems, and he was clearly the most talented player on the board. This dude doesn't have even close to that kind of talent.

2. Our corners are long. He isn't. It's that simple. Seattle was just at a pro day for a 6'3" receiver suggesting he play defense.

3. Measurables. He lacks speed and strength. With the time he had to get ready for the combine it was clear he had not spent time in the weight room. This alone would be enough to cross him off Seattle's list. I don't care what his reasons for not being in the weight room are unless they are injury related, and they aren't.

Last, let's address this notion that he is a natural playmaker. his kick return stuff is nice, and he appears to have natural skills there. But his ball hawking on a defense where he got to play with NFL talent at nearly every position on the defense does not equate to being a natural playmaker, especially when you consider his lack of wheels. He needed to be a 4.4 guy to be even considered on the first two days, and he simply isn't. College production is nice, but if you lack wheels you will not make plays, you will miss them. Teo lacks wheels, and it is causing him to be called a two down backer even though he had 7 interceptions.

I don't call late round picks off the board very often, but this one is easy. Mathieu is off Seattle's board, and I am willing to bet cash that if he is available in the 7th or as a UDFA, Seattle passes. Not even for drug reasons either.

Bravo Scotte. I was going to post almost exactly this, of course with far less words.

Wow. I was going to post Exactly this. Word for word. But decided to swim the Englich Channel instead.

"Some people here have been groomed to accept mediocrity and lame ducks, I'm on board with the vibrato!" -SouthSoundHawk "BFS is kicking ass in here." -kearly (8/9/2013)

Nice write up Scotte. I agree, he will not be a Hawk and I don't see him being drafted.

Just a comment on the Jimmy Smith thing. Schneider did comment on him saying that riskinf brining a player like that into a young locker room. Maybe with a more established locker room like the Ravens you can gamble a bit more. Whether that's just a speach or the truth?

Scottemojo wrote:Hunny Badger will disappear into football lore as quickly and effectively as Maurice Clarrett.

He will not be a Seahawk. I guarantee it.

1. Seattle passed on Jimmy Smith, who had multiple drug issues and attitude problems, and he was clearly the most talented player on the board. This dude doesn't have even close to that kind of talent.

2. Our corners are long. He isn't. It's that simple. Seattle was just at a pro day for a 6'3" receiver suggesting he play defense.

3. Measurables. He lacks speed and strength. With the time he had to get ready for the combine it was clear he had not spent time in the weight room. This alone would be enough to cross him off Seattle's list. I don't care what his reasons for not being in the weight room are unless they are injury related, and they aren't.

Last, let's address this notion that he is a natural playmaker. his kick return stuff is nice, and he appears to have natural skills there. But his ball hawking on a defense where he got to play with NFL talent at nearly every position on the defense does not equate to being a natural playmaker, especially when you consider his lack of wheels. He needed to be a 4.4 guy to be even considered on the first two days, and he simply isn't. College production is nice, but if you lack wheels you will not make plays, you will miss them. Teo lacks wheels, and it is causing him to be called a two down backer even though he had 7 interceptions.

I don't call late round picks off the board very often, but this one is easy. Mathieu is off Seattle's board, and I am willing to bet cash that if he is available in the 7th or as a UDFA, Seattle passes. Not even for drug reasons either.

100% spot on, great post.

GREEDY PUNK PAUL ALLEN, THIS LOSS IS ON YOU."I don't give a crap WHAT you gotta pay, Kam is worth it and I don't want to lose a shot at another SB cuz you - a freaking BILLIONAIRE, are cheapskating Kam over a freaking $900,000.You cheapskate." SalishHawkFan SEP 13, 2015 1:47 PM

Scottemojo wrote:Hunny Badger will disappear into football lore as quickly and effectively as Maurice Clarrett.

He will not be a Seahawk. I guarantee it.

1. Seattle passed on Jimmy Smith, who had multiple drug issues and attitude problems, and he was clearly the most talented player on the board. This dude doesn't have even close to that kind of talent.

2. Our corners are long. He isn't. It's that simple. Seattle was just at a pro day for a 6'3" receiver suggesting he play defense.

3. Measurables. He lacks speed and strength. With the time he had to get ready for the combine it was clear he had not spent time in the weight room. This alone would be enough to cross him off Seattle's list. I don't care what his reasons for not being in the weight room are unless they are injury related, and they aren't.

Last, let's address this notion that he is a natural playmaker. his kick return stuff is nice, and he appears to have natural skills there. But his ball hawking on a defense where he got to play with NFL talent at nearly every position on the defense does not equate to being a natural playmaker, especially when you consider his lack of wheels. He needed to be a 4.4 guy to be even considered on the first two days, and he simply isn't. College production is nice, but if you lack wheels you will not make plays, you will miss them. Teo lacks wheels, and it is causing him to be called a two down backer even though he had 7 interceptions.

I don't call late round picks off the board very often, but this one is easy. Mathieu is off Seattle's board, and I am willing to bet cash that if he is available in the 7th or as a UDFA, Seattle passes. Not even for drug reasons either.

Bravo Scotte. I was going to post almost exactly this, of course with far less words.

Wow. I was going to post Exactly this. Word for word. But decided to swim the Englich Channel instead.

You know it's funny, you have been floating on my to add to the foe list for a while with your tired schtick, and now with this you have tipped the scales. I will use this opportunity to point out that if we had a thanks system in use on this board such posts as mine wouldn't waste the bandwidth that is precious, as you constantly do with your juvenile and for the most part useless humor. I say good day to you sir, "Good day!"

Sherman and perhaps Browner started in the slot before moving up, if memory serves. IIRC, Seattle had to trade Kelly Jennings to get Browner a starting gig. Maxwell and Lane (both six foot plus) played a lot of slot corner last year.

Shortest corner Pete has acquired is Walter Thurmond, who is listed at 5'11".